Contact Info

  • 1301 Herman Street
  • Nashville, TN 37208-3334
  • Local (615) 329-3701
  • Toll Free (800) 759-8686
  • Email info@ntaco.com
  • Worldwide Distribution
Who We Are
Home

This is the story of Nashville Tent & Awning Co… how it began and where it is today. To find out more about our history click on each year below. Also, check out the magazine article, "Family Business is in Tents for Husband."

1884
Democrat Grover Cleveland is elected president and a company named Southern Canvas is started and serves the Nashville area, selling tarpaulins, tents, and awnings.

1914
The rest of the world is at war; the United States is at peace. Harry G. Husband looks to Chicago, New Orleans, and Nashville for potential tent companies to purchase and decides to settle in Nashville, along with his wife, 2 daughters, and 3 sons. He purchases Southern Canvas and shortly thereafter renames it Nashville Tent & Awning Company.

1923
While U.S. Steel is making the headlines with the implementation of the 8-hour work day (a victory for labor), Nashville Tent & Awning is making a name for itself in its downtown 1st Avenue South location near Fort Nashboro.

1932
Kodak introduces 8 mm film for home movies and Mickey Mouse is a favorite comic strip. The Nashville Tent & Awning business is thriving and the family continues to grow - shown here lounging on a summer week end day with a company awning truck.

1954
Harry G. Husband, Nashville Tent & Awning founder dies and the 2nd generation, Tom Husband, Harry (Hussie) Husband, Jack Husband, and Ross Arnold (husband to Dorothy Husband Arnold) become partners in the growing Nashville Tent and Awning Company.

1960-87
One-by-one the third generation, Woodie Husband, Hunter Husband, Mac Husband, Phil Husband, and Wayland Arnold come on board to join their grandfather's dream and hard work. Work ethic is strong and the company flourishes.

1988
The reigns turn over as the 3rd generation comes of age to take the company to a new level. Never forgetting where they came from and the work ethic that have gotten them to this place, they restore the historical Phillips & Buttorff building and moved the company to this expanded 98,000 sq.ft. space to prepare the company for a growing Nashville.

1988-99
Backlit awnings and signs become a business "must have"… tent rental booms along with the growth of Nashville…a truly beautiful home is not a home unless it boasts an awning from Nashville Tent & Awning….aggressive tent manufacturing leads to more tent sales… and custom covers are made to satisfy.

2000-2008
Today and the future hold many promises for this company and the people employed by Nashville Tent & Awning. Many have been with the company 30 or more years. It's the people and the work ethic that have kept the company going for over 100 years. Our customers are part of this family too and we look forward to serving those same customers for generations to come.